Avaliação da exposição a metais numa oficina de recuperação de armamento de uma organização militar / Exposure assessment to metals in an armament repair shop of a military organization

O objetivo deste estudo foi a avaliação da exposição ocupacional ao chumbo e manganês dos trabalhadores de uma oficina de recuperação de armamento de uma organização militar. O ar do ambiente de trabalho foi avaliado no monitoramento ambiental e os indicadores biológicos de dose interna, para chumbo e manganês, em sangue e na urina, foram utilizados no monitoramento biológico. A concentração de manganês e chumbo nos filtros e fluidos biológicos foi determinada por espectrometria de absorção atômica eletrotérmica. Os resultados do monitoramento ambiental indicaram níveis de Pb e Mn acima do TLV-TWA durante o processo de pintura (313,33 μg m-3) e solda (951 μg m-3). Os indicadores biológicos revelaram que cinco dos nove trabalhadores apresentam níveis de Pb-S que sugerem exposição ambiental ao chumbo (valores entre 5 e 10 μg dL-1). Pode-se concluir que existe uma pequena exposição ocupacional ao chumbo e ao manganês na oficina de tratamento superficial. Tal exposição é influenciada pelas condições meteorológicas e pela demanda variável de trabalho.

The aim of this study was the occupational exposure assessment to lead and manganese of workers in an armament repair shop of a military organization. The air of the working environment was assessed in the environmental monitoring while the internal dose biological indicators for lead and manganese, in blood and urine, were used in biological monitoring. Metals concentration in filters and biological fluids were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of the environmental monitoring showed lead and manganese levels above the TLV-TWA during the process of painting (313.33 g m-3) and solder (951 μg m-3). The biological indicators revealed that five of the nine employees presented Pb-S levels that suggested an environmental exposure to lead (values between 5 and 10 μg dL-1). It can be concluded that there is a small occupational exposure to lead and manganese in the superficial treatment repair shop. This exposure is influenced by weather conditions and the variable demand of work.

[Exposure assessment to metals in an armament repair shop of a military organization]. / Avaliação da exposição a metais numa oficina de recuperação de armamento de uma organização militar.

The aim of this study was the occupational exposure assessment to lead and manganese of workers in an armament repair shop of a military organization. The air of the working environment was assessed in the environmental monitoring while the internal dose biological indicators for lead and manganese, in blood and urine, were used in biological monitoring. Metals concentration in filters and biological fluids were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of the environmental monitoring showed lead and manganese levels above the TLV-TWA during the process of painting (313.33 g m-3) and solder (951 microg m-3). The biological indicators revealed that five of the nine employees presented Pb-S levels that suggested an environmental exposure to lead (values between 5 and 10 microg dL-1). It can be concluded that there is a small occupational exposure to lead and manganese in the superficial treatment repair shop. This exposure is influenced by weather conditions and the variable demand of work.

Determination of manganese in urine and whole blood samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: comparison of chemical modifiers.

In this work, methodologies to determine manganese (Mn) in urine and whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry were developed. The use of Ru, Rh, and Zr as permanent modifiers, Pd as a modifier in solution, and the condition without modifier were investigated for the direct determination of Mn in urine and whole blood samples. The best results for Mn in urine and in whole blood were obtained without modifier use. The analytical characteristic, such as accuracy, precision and limit of detection of the proposed methodology were adequate.

Multielement electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: a study on direct and simultaneous determination of chromium and manganese in urine.

A study was carried out on the direct determination of Cr and Mn in urine using simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS). The heating program conditions, the absorbance signal profiles, the influence of different chemical modifiers, and the urine sample volume delivery into the tube were optimized to perform the calibration with aqueous solutions. Among several chemical modifiers tested, the best recovery and repeatability results were obtained for 3 microg Mg(NO3)2. On using this modifier, the pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for simultaneous determination of Cr and Mn were 1,300 degrees C and 2,500 degrees C, respectively. Urine samples were diluted (1+1) with 2.0% (v/v) HNO3 + 0.05% (w/v) Triton X-100 prepared in high purity water. A 20-microL aliquot of analytical solution and 10 microL of chemical modifier solution were delivered to the graphite tube. The characteristic masses were 7.8 pg for Cr (RSD=4.0%) and 4.6 pg for Mn (RSD=2.6%). The limits of detection were 0.08 microg L(-1) (n=20, 3s) for Cr and 0.16 microg L(-1) (n=20, 3s) for Mn. Recovery studies for 1.0 or 2.5 microg L(-1) of Cr and Mn added to different urine samples showed acceptable results for Cr (100%, RSD=14%) and Mn (88%, RSD=5.6%).

Studies on some biochemical parameters in human manganese exposure.

Biochemical studies were carried out in 35 male workers exposed to low concentrations of manganese in a ferromanganese alloy plant and in 24 workers not occupationally exposed (control group). Adenosine deaminase, total and HDL cholesterol in plasma, inorganic phosphate, calcium and urea in plasma and urine and 17-ketosteroids in urine, as well as urinary manganese were determined in order to assess their validity as early diagnostic measures in Mn intoxication. Significant increases in plasma inorganic phosphates, HDL cholesterol, urinary calcium, plasma and urinary manganese were found in the exposed while the other parameters remained unchanged.

Determinaçäo de manganês em fluidos biológicos por ETA-AAS ZEEMAN - II - Amostras de urina / Determination of manganese in biological fluids by ETA- AAS ZEEMAN - II - Urine samples

Um método é proposto para determinaçäo de Mn em amostras de urina, utilizando-se ETA-AAS, com correçäo Zeeman, combinado à plataforma de L'Vov, e emprego de Mg (NO3)2 0,2 por cento como modificador de matriz. A técnica prevê diluiçäo das amostras biológicas (1+1,v/v) com soluçäo aquosa do modificador de matriz, e posterior introduçäo de 20 ul desta soluçäo em forno de grafite. O limite de detecçäo obtido com o método foi de 0,08 ug/l de Mn, enquanto as recuperaçöes médias do metal foram avaliadas em 95,6 por cento. O CV determinado foi de 4,7 por cento para uma concentraçäo urinária de 2 ug/l. O procedimento descrito foi utilizado no estudo de valores de referência para Mn em amostras de urina de populaçäo da Província de Brescia (Itália)

Limites biológicos em higiene e medicina do trabalho

O controle biológico de trabalhadores expostos a agentes químicos agressivos coloca o médico do trabalho frente a uma série de problemas conjunturais e estruturais de difícil soluçäo. A partir de pesquisa onde foram analisadas urina de 58 soldadores para determinaçäo de concentraçäo de Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Ni säo discutidas as dificuldades da execuçäo deste controle, incluindo aspectos ambientais. Conclui-se pela importância das avaliaçöes biológicas, mas ressaltando a prioridade para as medidas ambientais de controle dos agentes químicos